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This year at St Edmund’s we had another successful charity campaign for the Royal British Legion. Our funds were part of thousands raised across the country in support of armed forces personnel and veterans.
Thank you to everyone who donated through the poppy appeal.
Yesterday employers came into the school for a âGuess My Jobâ careers event.Â
Pupils were tasked with identifying which employer (by appearance alone) matched which named career.Â
Pupils learnt to never judge a book by its cover as St Edmundâs Catholic Academy try to tackle stereotyping people in particular roles. They were very engaged and asked lots of interesting questions to help them better understand each job role.
Yesterday  we were lucky to have FĂștbol Lingo come to visit us to discuss the importance of languages when working in the sports industry. Pupils listened to Pierce Kiembi, a YDP coach, discussing his career in football and his journey through language learning, from not understanding the importance of languages to getting ahead in his career thanks to learning languages.
We were invited to consider the role that languages play in everyday life in the sports industry and Pierce discussed the differing positions that needed languages from player level, to managers and coaches, all the way through to staff in the stadiums to journalists and player liaison officers.
We learnt that âthe more you learn, the more you earnâ and how FIFA as an international federation requires all its employees to speak at least 2 languages just to be considered for any role.Â
Being a linguist makes you highly sought after in the job market and it was great to see our pupils learning the significance of this.
Last week we celebrated chemistry week, with the theme âchemistry making the world a better placeâ. Ms Alsop, our Chemistry Assistant Curriculum Lead, dressed up as a different element or compound. Students have also been finding out about the range of exciting careers in chemistry – for more information go to https://edu.rsc.org/future-in-chemistry.
  
Chemistry Week becomes an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the intricate beauty of God’s creation as unveiled through the lens of chemistry. It is a time to marvel at the order, precision, and complexity woven into the fabric of the natural world, with an understanding that the study of chemistry is a form of exploration and stewardship of God’s handiwork. This week serves as a reminder of the responsibility to care for the Earth and its resources, appreciating the role of science and technology in promoting the common good.
  
   
Anti-Bullying Week provides a crucial opportunity for communities, schools, and individuals to come together in solidarity against the pervasive issue of bullying. This dedicated week serves as a platform for raising awareness, fostering empathy, and encouraging open conversations about the impact of bullying on individuals’ mental and emotional well-being.
During Anti-Bullying Week, we, as Catholics, are called to reflect upon the teachings of Christ and embrace the profound message of love, compassion, and understanding. In the spirit of Christian values, we recognise that each person is uniquely created in the image of God, deserving of dignity and respect. Bullying contradicts the core principles of our faith, as it seeks to harm and diminish the inherent worth of individuals. As followers of Christ, we are compelled to foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and inclusion, where all members of our community can flourish. Let us prayerfully commit ourselves to creating environments where every person feels cherished and protected, in alignment with the teachings of Jesus Christ, who exemplified unconditional love and compassion. In doing so, we actively contribute to the promotion of a world free from the scourge of bullying, reflecting the light of Christ’s transformative love.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of great significance to many of our Sikh and Hindu brothers and sisters and holds a universal message that resonates with Catholic values. Diwali can be seen as a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Just as we celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus, Sikhs and Hindus celebrate Diwali as the victory of light and righteousness. It reminds us of the importance of dispelling ignorance, hatred, and negativity in our lives and society, and replacing them with love, knowledge, and compassion. It is an opportunity to come together with people of different faiths, emphasising our shared commitment to promoting peace, joy, and unity. As Catholics, we appreciate the diversity of the world’s religious traditions and can find common ground in the universal themes of love, hope, and the eternal battle between good and evil, as beautifully illustrated in the Festival of Diwali.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. – Isaiah 60:3
Remembrance Day, observed in many countries to honour the fallen soldiers and civilians who have made sacrifices during times of conflict, holds a profound place in our hearts as it echoes the values of peace, compassion, and solidarity deeply embedded in our faith. This solemn day serves as a reminder of the essential role of forgiveness and reconciliation in the pursuit of peace. It calls us to pray for the souls of those who have died in service, as well as for the healing of those who have been affected by the wounds of war. In our faith, we find strength in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who blessed the peacemakers and encouraged us to love our enemies. As we remember the sacrifices made on Remembrance Day, we are urged to work tirelessly towards a world free from the scourge of war, where justice and harmony prevail, drawing inspiration from our Catholic principles of forgiveness, mercy, and unity.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4
Today the history department delivered a lesson on Remembrance to year 7 students to honour those who served to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life.
A member of the British Army also came along to give students an insight into the potential career opportunities within the service.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the interactive army presentation and left with a positive experience of opportunities in the Armed Forces.
On Friday 20th October, a group of students from Year 10 and Year 11 attended a Careers Fair at Dunstall Racecourse to find out more information from employers and educational providers in our region.
Exhibitors ranged from universities, colleges and specialist companies, to apprenticeship providers such as the local authority, all providing opportunities for people aged 16 and older who may have a wide range of qualifications.
This was a good opportunity for them to explore possible future pathways and to clarify options, even if they were not sure what they wanted to do after Year 11. We were fortunate with our booking slot as it was the end of the day. This allowed us good access to all of the organisation as there were fewer people present.
All of the students were excellent ambassadors for the school and many spoke confidently to the exhibitors. Everyone who attended thought it was useful.
Mr White, one of the accompanying members of staff, thought we were fortunate that such an event had been organised and that he found some useful information as well.
One pupil said “I’m really glad I spoke with them because it reassured me about the grades I need for the course.”
Another pupil said “There was some good information about training to work in cyber security.”
Photo L-R: Daniyal. Archie, Binyameen, Sarnelli
Today the Academy held two assemblies for Remembrance Day, lead by Mrs Harris, Associate Assistant Principal of Religious Education. These allowed a moment of reflection and contemplation of those we have lost and the events at play in the world today. All were invited to remember and pray for peace and unity in our world.
The main talk of the assemblies was given by Mr Tim Richards, a royal marine commando, who told the story of his life and the experiences he had that lead him to where he is now. He explained how his wanting to change the world for the better changed the direction of his life. His memorial to his fallen friends and colleagues served as a poignant moment of reflection for the loss that war brings. The pictures of his experiences allowed the students to understand more of why remembrance is important.
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed the have died,
and their departure was thought to be an affliction,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though i the sight of men they were punished,
their hop is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them for ever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his elect,
and he watched over his holy ones.
– Wisdom 3:1-9
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